My first lappie was a Compaq and lasted 5 years....sm
Posted By: Georgia gal on 2006-06-09
In Reply to: for those of you using laptops - MT NY
and didn't have a problem with it until it died. I traveled all over the US with it and also had it fall several times. I've been on my 2nd Compaq now for almost 2 years. That's all I'll buy!
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Seems to be about right. Mine all lasted a few years, too. nm
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I've had a Compaq keyboard for probably 10 years and a
few keys have just worn off a couple of the keys. I wrote the letters with a Sharpie and they lasted about a month. I don't look at the keys when I type so it really doesn't bother me. You could try getting one of those rubber things you put over your keyboard to keep spills out.
I have a Compaq ....sm
I bought my first laptop in 2000, a Compaq and used it until it died 3 years ago. I used it all of the time and replaced it 3 years ago with another Compaq. When I had the prior laptop the CD drive stopped working but I was amazed that Compaq had me take it to Fed-Ex to be sent to them and the VERY next day it arrived back at my house fixed! I've NEVER seen repairs that fast! I use my current one daily as well. Laptops supposedly don't last this long but mine have survived traveling, drops, and daily use just fine. Whenever this one is retired I'll get another Compaq again.
I have Compaq which is very reliable, but
I wish I had gone with the Toshiba. The only reason is that it was much lighter and easier on the hands when lifting and carrying. Other than that no problems with the Compaq.
The main thing is virus protection software and Spyware protection to protect the new laptop once you go online.
I have a Compaq wireless and I ...
love it. It's heavy duty and a good touch. The only thing I do not like about it is the size of the backspace key...it's not enlarged like most keyboard backspace keys....have a hard time with that but I'm getting used to it. It's nice to have one less cord to deal with. I was worried it would be going through batteries like crazy, but that's not the case.
Nice While It Lasted
Well, I am new to MQ. With numbers like THAT, I guess I won't have a job unless I stop PROOFREADING my reports! I don't think I could get up to speed very quickly with macros, etc, since I am struggling to get in 6,000 per pay period, and did not even make THAT last pay period, only because there was no work on some days. I do have some phrases, etc., macroed, but with 97 doctors, I can see no way to get whole paragraphs or anything close to that in, at least not yet. I need more experience (time) to work up to 8,000 per pay period. I wonder if these requirements are going to be for new hires, or are they going to 'change' our contracts.
I love my Compaq Presario....sm
I bought my original Compaq laptop in 2000 and it didn't "die" until January of this year. It was used all of the time. I replaced it with another Compaq because of my great experience. I only had 1 technical problem that arose with it early on while owning it and when I called them because it wouldn't turn on they had DSL pick it up that day from me and the very next day it arrived back at my home completely fixed. I never expected it repaired and returned that fast!!!
I wish. I have tried 4 babysitters this summer and each one lasted a DAY!
My kids are a little hyper LOL!!
Lasted Advance MT article
I was wondering if any of you have read the latest article in Advance about MTs? It's called The MT Critic. Color me stupid but I did not know MTs had to go to medical school to do their jobs? How many of you know the average size of the left atrium of the heart? How many of you would contradict the doctor's vital signs because the patient had a fractured ankle and you just knew that because of his pain, those vitals could not possibly be correct? It is no wonder we are not attracting qualified people to our profession. What are your thoughts?
Compaq "Erase-Eaze" keyboard
Using a Compaq "Erase-Eaze" I guess it's called. My right thumb hits the space bar so hard that it's worn a deep groove into the key - about to break through. Also wanted to try something more ergonomic, with a split keyboard as well as split space bar.
Batteries lasted me only about 2 weeks. Not worth it to me. nm
Great while it lasted and I was home with my kids...but
now I'm back in school too. Going for a professional degree. I own a service, so a little bit different for me because I got to have the fun of building up a business, marketing, etc. Don't think I would have been happy with just the MT work and for sure, not with the money. But my daughter never had to go to daycare and I was home when my son came home from school. That's valuable! But the end is in sight...so I will be going to school while my business can still pay me a salary.
I tried it on my toe nails. It was easy to use and lasted over a week.
x
Have used stickers, lasted awhile but not that long.
I have a Microsoft ergonomical keyboard (curved) that I have been using about three years now, and the letters are still good. However, you might want to try one of those pens that can be used to write on CDs and other metallic materials. Cheaper than buying another keyboard. As stated, the stickers worked but not for very long as I remember.
Compaq standard keyboard from RadioShack. Quiet! nm
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I had beige Compaq keyboards from RadioShack that were great, too, but I can't
s
Just got my Compaq C0310108576 from Radio Shack the other day. Love it's quiet! nm
s
Had an old white Compaq board that was so "soft" & quiet. Newer
s
I only lasted an hour at the mall today before getting so annoyed I had to leave.
All the teeny boppers are slowly cruising around with their friends but not buying anything. People are shoving and cutting in line. I just like to get in, get my stuff, and get out.
Friends tried hypnosis for smoking. It lasted for about 2 weeks then wore off. nm
m
You mean they work OUR holidays. They just had a big one that lasted 5 days and WE had work for a w
You think Indians don't get sick? They have to be constantly sick in that disgusting place.
58, AHP/self-taught, trained at hospital 5 years, now with 2 of my own accounts for 10 years, employ
Also worn out 2 keyboards in 4 years. I will never retire. DH will come home some day from work and I'll be slumped over my keyboard. I put in 14 hours a day 7 days a week.
Pack years = packs smoked per day x years of smoking - sm
25 pack-years = 25 years of 1 pack a day, or 12-1/2 years of 2 packs a day.
I don't think pack-years applies to someone who smokes only cigars. But I don't know for sure.
I worked for Cbay for 3 years. I was also part of their lay off back many years ago. sm
Even though I got stuck in a lay off era, I still love the company. They paid well then. The people were nice (exception of 1 person) and if I had the opportunity I would go back again. Fortunately (or unfortunately - depending on how u look at it), I have a great paying job right now, so I am not looking for a change. I do know that at one time, they asked management to accept late paychecks, but never sure of the reason why. My check was never late.
I know it used to be 5-10 years back, but the laws changed within the last 2 years. They can only g
x
6 years legal then switched to medical 17+ years ago. sm
I don't mind doing legal and will do it now from time to time, but be prepared to be totally bored out of your mind.
At least that's the way I feel. I love to transcribe, learned legal in college, went on to get my paralegal degree, etc., etc., but I did temp work when the kids were younger, which was about 90% medical and I would never go back to legal except for once in a while.
Booooooring.
Only 3 years away from reaching total years for retirement
but if I had to do this and raise a family, would feel exactly like you do. The pay is terrible compared to what I used to make. I work 32 hours a week, hope to be able to continue even after full retirement age. I have worked on VR now and unless places get to where they really do not care about how their reports look, think they will need MTs. I very seldom do a report and it is 100%, just cannot remember 1 like that and most take a lot more editing. Working now because want to, not have to anymore, thank goodness!!
I dumped my ex 20 years ago, but got lucky 13 years ago
It would take me all night and pages and pages to describe what a bad person my ex-husband was. After six years of putting up with his OCD, verbal abuse and alcohol, I left him the house, took the kids (5 and 1) and didn't look back. That was 20 years ago.
I wasn't looking to get married again, but I did. After 13 years I only complain when hubby doesn't see things my way. :)
My older kids, who were 5 and 1 when I left, are married and have kids of their own now. My husband gets the Father's Day cards. Their "real" father sits alone in the perfect little house I left behind and let him have and he drinks himself into oblivion every night because nobody is "perfect" enough, including his kids and his grandkids that he never sees.
Sad, but true. So glad I smartened up and got out of there when I did.
We have been supporting other countries for years and years now.
What is the big deal. Look at your clothes, cars, items in your house. You will see mostly China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan etc., etc. We have not supported our own people like we should have for years now!!!!
Only 2 in 13 years for me. First Edix for 8 and now Webmedx for nearly 5 years. nm
.
When I trained, back years and years ago
We did not have spell checking nor the internet (Google for instantaneous help). OMG, how did we do it? We used Correcting Selectrics with the lift-off tape to correct errors- you only had dictionaries, both English and medical, to look up things so yes we did have to learn to spell all those big longgggggggggg words.
MT: 24 years. Same company: 11 years same co. after buyout.
x
Grammar Question: 9 years' ago or 9 years ago? *sm*
 I have a terrible time trying to remember this rule! HELP!
Worked inhouse for years and years
Inhouse transcription from 1973 to approximately 1992 and we had no downtime for answering the phones and when the physicians came into the room (or others) needing some assistance, just part of the job. I did not feel bad about doing it then and I dont see why you would either. You don’t realize that probably you are making right now more than if you are outsourced, right? You have hourly salary plus incentive. Guess how many of us have that now? Probably inevitable about outsourcing so I would say just enjoy while you can. The pay our here now sinks further and further. I make, for instance, 4 cents a line for voice recognition and 8 for straight. Now, more complaining?
19 years old...married 26 years. nm
n
they've been doing this for years and years (nm)
IMHO
People have been saying that for years and years - SM
however, I am working fewer hours and making more money. I think maybe the answer here is working as an IC for a one-owner company. MTSO was an MT for many years and she knows the secret to making lots of $ is putting your MTs doing what they do best and leaving them alone.
I don't think it is the "national" part of services that hurts. I think the low wages can be gauged by the number of suits in the company. More suits = less $.
And why pay QA? Just hire people experienced/good enough to do the work correctly the first time.
I have been doing Radiology only the last two years after several years (sm)
of acute care. I love it and find it easier although not as interesting as acute care. I was told by those who hired me that a good medical Transcriptionist will be able to do Radiology even with no experience in it. There are some specialized terms but easy to learn. I would never go back to acute care unless there were very good dictators and good sound quality.
30 (!) years; OTJ (don't think there were schools 30 years ago) nm
:)
Years ago it was 7 years. Not certain as to status now.
10 years here, too, and making 8.4....same as i was 5 years ago. nm
f
Shame on me.. Am I the only one with 4+ in 2 years, but with my last one 2 years.
Lots of little "stints" in between, just trying to keep my head above water.
24 years MT, 7.5 years with the same hospital nm.
x
22 years, same company 10 years nm
nm
32 years, longest was 28 years at same co. (nm)
*
28 years, 9 years at 1 hospital..sm
9 years at one hospital, 8 years with 2 services, then went out on my own (11 years ago) and got a bunch of surgeons and I moonlight on weekends for a national (9 years with national).
If I knew what I know today, with how the MT business has gone down $$-wise for us over 20+ years, if I had my druthers and could start over again, I would have stayed with CODING/BILLING instead of MT work (though I love MT work) as billing/coding is still lucrative in this country....
just my 3 cents 
32 years, 18 years at hospital...
7 at Medquist, 7 at Spheris. Starting at Transtech Medical tomorrow.
Do you need to have 2 years full time experience or just 2 years' experience? nm
..
49 years old/self taught/daughter 20 years old/self taught. I'm a CMT, and daughter is studying t
take the test soon.
I know I'm old - 30+ years as well
but I do remember specifically being told "double". Maybe there is something to the reason being that they used to "talk good."
I'm going on 35 years of doing this
and I try to keep my goals realistic dealing with rheumatoid arthritis, etc. I don't like to see a minimum of 200 lines/hour; occasionally can reach nearly 300 lph but depends on the dictators. Seems the account I do now mostly has dictators from India, the ones I dislike the most. I love Russians, Japanese, Germans, French, etc., etc., but for some reason I find the Indian accent very difficult!!!!
I, like you, do not use expanders or "normals" etc., mostly because I'm from the old school and I type every word. I'm sure if I used some of the crutches I could easily reach 275 to 350 lines/hour, maybe more who knows! I keep telling myself one day I'll relearn how to do all that but right now, I don't care....when the time is right I'll know. Mainly I just keep trying not to stress myself out too much. I've put in my time and paid my dues and do a great job. I'm not a young chick anymore and don't expct myself to produce these huge line counts, but believe me, I know I could if that was my wish!!! Don't worry.....Be happy!
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